Roger Federer posts emotional tribute to Rafael Nadal after retirement confirmed

Roger Federer has posted an affectional tribute to Rafael Nadal, thanking him for ‘unforgettable memories’ aft the Spaniard announced his retirement.

Nadal said connected Thursday that he volition officially telephone clip connected his vocation pursuing the Davis Cup Finals successful Malaga, with his past lucifer perchance connected November 19.

He retires two years aft playing doubles with Federer astatine the Laver Cup successful London, successful what was the Swiss icon’s last tourney earlier his ain retirement.

Nadal and Federer were erstwhile fierce rivals – with the duo facing disconnected 40 times crossed the ATP Tour – 24 of which were finals and 9 of which were large finals.

But the pair, collectively known arsenic ‘Fedal’, are present precise adjacent friends and person lone expressed love, respect and admiration for 1 different successful caller years.

Following quality of Nadal hanging up his racket, 20-time large victor Federer posted connected societal media: ‘What a career, Rafa! I ever hoped this time would ne'er come.

‘Thank you for the unforgettable memories and each your unthinkable achievements successful the crippled we love. It’s been an implicit honour.’

Other tennis stars person besides paid tribute to Nadal, including his erstwhile foe Nick Kyrgios, who has had run-ins with the Spanish leader successful the past.

‘We had our differences but you were 1 hellhole of a warrior,’ Australian prima Kyrgios posted connected X. ‘Best wishes and bully luck with immoderate comes next.’

American satellite No.4 Coco Gauff added: ‘You are amazing! It’s been truthful unthinkable to witnesser your greatness and enactment ethic and beryllium capable to larn from it. Wishing you each the champion successful your adjacent chapter.’

Nadal finishes his vocation with an unthinkable haul of 22 Grand Slam titles, 14 of which came astatine the French Open, where helium enjoyed historical success connected the clay.

He besides won the US Open 4 times, Wimbledon doubly and 2 Australian Open titles arsenic good arsenic helping Spain clinch 4 Davis Cup trophies.

‘I deliberation it’s the due clip to enactment an extremity to a vocation that has been agelong and overmuch much palmy than I could ever person imagined,’ Nadal said. ‘I’m precise excited that my past tourney volition beryllium the last of the Davis Cup and representing my country.’

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